Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue says after a year of court proceedings, the much needed checks are on their way to Peach State farmers. Tobacco growers and Quota holders say the funds are needed now that Quotas, a federal program regulating tobacco selling prices, ended in 2004.

Thomas County Extension Coordinator Don Clark says, "This is the first year without the support price, so as a result, farmers sold their crop at a lower price."

It’s a lower price that now has growers thankful for their piece of the tobacco settlement money.

Gene Hickey adds, "We just got a portion of it, and it helps offset the loss of our Quota pounds."

The state says approximately $25 million in phase two payments will be delivered to growers and Quota holders in the coming days.

The tobacco settlement payments are a result of the master 1998 settlement agreement signed by 46 states and the nation's four largest tobacco companies.

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